Liquid schoenocaulon extract

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to methods of producing liquid sabadilla extract. The invention also relates to methods for controlling pests by application of liquid sabadilla seed extract to pests&#39; environment or to pests.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to methods of producing a liquidsabadilla extract and methods of its use as a pesticide.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Controlling damaging pests on plants grown to provide human food is aconstant struggle for growers. Insects can completely destroy a harvestand can cause catastrophic food shortages or financial ruin for thegrowers. Although many products are effective against insects thatdamage plants, the products must also be safe enough to be released intothe growing environment and safe enough to be applied to parts of theplants that will eventually be consumed.

Organic farming is increasing in popularity. Organic farming restrictsthe use of compounds that are used for pest control to encouragesustainability and safety. Insecticides can be used in organic farmingif they are considered “natural.” Unfortunately, many of the naturalinsecticides currently available are not potent enough to provideadequate insect control. Further, many of the currently availablenatural pesticides are not practical to apply or their application iscost prohibitive.

One effective naturally derived insecticide is found in the tissues ofmany of the plants of the genus Schoenocaulon. The species with thelongest history of use, and the most readily available, is Schoenocaulonofficinale. The plant is indigenous to Central and South America and itsseeds have been used for centuries for their insecticidal properties.The seeds contain the alkaloids veratridine and cevadine, both of whichare known to be active against arthropods.

Usually the dried seeds are ground to a powder and the powder is applieddry or wetted to the insects. The dust from the seeds, however, cancause eye and nasal irritation. Another disadvantage of using the groundseeds is that the alkaloids break down quickly in sunlight and do notprovide any residual protection.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,348,949 and 2,390,911 disclose the use of groundsabadilla seeds with beta-butoxy-beta-prime-thiocyanodiethyl-ether tocontrol houseflies. Further, these patents teach heating the seeds andusing them as a powder, or mixing them with kerosene to form a sprayableformulation. Neither of these disclosed mixtures of ground sabadillaseeds would be appropriate for organic farming.

Accordingly, there is a need for new methods of controlling insects. Themethods should be potent, safe for growers to apply, safe to beneficialorganisms (target specific), and safe for the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to methods for creatinga liquid sabadilla extract.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to liquidpesticidal sabadilla extract products produced by the process comprisingthe steps of milling sabadilla seeds or other plant parts, washing themilled sabadilla seeds or other plant parts with at least one extractsolvent selected from the group consisting of C5 to C14 alkanes,chlorinated methane, chlorinated ethane, benzene, and benzenederivatives under agitation to dissolve the sabadilla oil, removing theextract solvent and sabadilla oil from the washed milled seeds or otherplant parts, washing the de-oiled milled sabadilla seeds or other plantparts with at least one seed and plant part solvent selected from thegroup consisting of methanol, ethanol, glycol ether, ethyl lactate,propanol, butyl lactate, gamma-butyrolactone, and 1-butanol underagitation to dissolve the sabadilla extract in the seed or plant partsolvent, removing the seed or plant part solvent and sabadilla extractfrom the de-oiled washed milled seeds or other plant parts, addingpropylene glycol to the sabadilla extract in the seed or plant partsolvent, and removing the seed or plant part solvent from the sabadillaextract and propylene glycol to produce the liquid sabadilla extract.

In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to methods forcontrolling pests comprising applying a liquid sabadilla extract topests or to their environment.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid sabadilla extract is produced fromsabadilla seeds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Applicant has unexpectedly developed new methods of producing a liquidsabadilla extract. While sabadilla extracts are desirable because theycan concentrate the alkaloids, they can also be very difficult to handleand have a tar-like viscosity. Applicant unexpectedly developed a way tomake the sabadilla extracts easy to handle, use and apply.

Applicant's methods involve de-oiling milled sabadilla seeds or otherplant parts (by washing them with at least one extract solvent selectedfrom the group consisting of C5 to C14 alkanes, chlorinated methane,chlorinated ethane, benzene, and benzene derivatives) and then removingthe solid inert parts, such as the cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin andpectin, from the rest of the seed or other plant parts (with at leastone seed and plant part solvent selected from the group consisting ofmethanol, ethanol, glycol ether, ethyl lactate, propanol, butyl lactate,gamma-butyrolactone, and 1-butanol). Propylene glycol is then added tothe remaining extract and the seed or plant part solvent is removed.

These methods produce a liquid that contains the alkaloids in a moreconcentrated form. The concentrated liquid sabadilla extract is moreeffective than the ground whole seeds or other plant parts because theparts of the seeds or other plant parts that do not contain alkaloidshave been removed from the extract.

Further, the solid, inert parts of the seeds or other plant parts can nolonger clog spray equipment. Yet another advantage of the liquidsabadilla extract is that it is easier to handle and can be poured orpumped to meet the needs of growers. Applicant's methods for productionof the liquid sabadilla extract are also high yielding and can be easilyscaled up for commercial use.

In addition, propylene glycol is Organic Materials Review Institute(OMRI) approved which means the liquid sabadilla extract can be used inorganic farming.

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to methods forproducing a liquid sabadilla extract comprising milling sabadilla seedsor other plant parts, washing the milled sabadilla seeds or other plantparts with at least one extract solvent selected from the groupconsisting of C5 to C14 alkanes, chlorinated methane, chlorinatedethane, benzene, and benzene derivatives under agitation to dissolve thesabadilla oil, removing the extract solvent and sabadilla oil from thewashed milled seeds or other plant parts, washing the de-oiled milledsabadilla seeds or other plant parts with at least one seed and plantpart solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol,glycol ether, ethyl lactate, propanol, butyl lactate,gamma-butyrolactone, and 1-butanol under agitation to dissolve thesabadilla extract in the seed or plant part solvent, removing the seedor plant part solvent and sabadilla extract from the de-oiled washedmilled seeds or other plant parts, adding propylene glycol to thesabadilla extract in the seed or plant part solvent, and removing theseed or plant part solvent from the sabadilla extract and propyleneglycol to produce the liquid sabadilla extract.

Sabadilla seeds and extract may be derived from any species ofSchoenocaulon. The genus Schoenocaulon includes the following species:Schoenocaulon calcicola, Schoenocaulon caricifolium, Schoenocauloncomatum, Schoenocaulon conzattii, Schoenocaulon dubium (alt.Schoenocaulon gracile), Schoenocaulon framei, Schoenocaulonghiesbreghtii (alt. Schoenocaulon drummondii, Schoenocaulonyucatanense), Schoenocaulon ignigenum, Schoenocaulon intermedium,Schoenocaulon jaliscense, Schoenocaulon macrocarpum (alt. Schoenocaulonlauricola), Schoenocaulon madidorum, Schoenocaulon megarrhizum,Schoenocaulon mortonii, Schoenocaulon oaxacense, Schoenocaulon obtusum,Schoenocaulon officinale, Schoenocaulon pellucidum, Schoenocaulonplumosum, Schoenocaulon pringlei, Schoenocaulon rzedowskii,Schoenocaulon tenorioi, Schoenocaulon tenue, Schoenocaulon tenuifolium,Schoenocaulon texanum, and Schoenocaulon tigrense.

In a preferred embodiment, the sabadilla seeds can be derived from S.officinale.

To optimize solvent penetration and subsequent extraction, the seed coatmust be ruptured and the distance between penetrable surfaces of theseed reduced as much as possible. The can be achieved by milling theseeds.

Sabadilla seeds are very difficult to cleanly break into fine pieces.The bulk of the seed is hard and oily and requires a lot of energy topulverize, producing heat due to high friction. Any suitable millingmethod can be used. Applicant found that cryogenic hammer milling theseeds was ideal for efficient extraction of the sabadilla oil.

Cryogenic grinding, or cryomilling, most commonly uses dry ice, liquidcarbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen to cool the feed material in a mill ofan otherwise conventional design (e.g. a cryogenic hammermill.) Thissuper-cooling makes the sabadilla seed more uniformly brittle, in turnmaking it easier to control particle size. Additionally, the oil in theseed is a solid at the temperature of liquid nitrogen, and does not slowprocessing speed. This increased friability and solidification of theoil allows for very efficient throughput rates during milling.

Flake milling, most commonly using a roller-type mill, was found tocreate a milled sabadilla seed that was somewhat more efficient tohandle during processing than cryogenically hammer milled seed, butallowed a less efficient extraction. In a flake milling procedure, theseeds are heated to increase plasticity and passed between rollers whichflatten the seeds into thin, solvent-penetrable flakes that are stilllargely one piece. Flaking usually produces a minimal amount of fineparticles which hinder efficient processing.

Pin milling may also be used but this technique produces particles whichare coarse and require more time to process than other milling products.Conventional, ambient, hammer milling and “Fitz” milling may also beused to produce a sufficiently sized particle, however, throughput ratesare generally inefficient and it is difficult to control particle size.

While flake milling's larger particle size overall makes it simplest andeasiest to handle during processing, Applicant found that cryogenichammer milling allowed the creation of sabadilla seed particles over arange of sizes that enable a more efficient extraction of sabadilla oilwith only a modest increase in material handling difficulty.Accordingly, Applicant found that cryogenic hammer milling with liquidnitrogen was a superior milling approach for producing sabadilla oil.

The milled sabadilla seeds can be washed with the seed or plant partsolvent one time or multiple times. For example, the milled sabadillaseeds can be washed one to ten times. If the seed or plant part solventis decanted and additional seed or plant part solvent added (additionalwashes), then the yield is increased.

The de-oiled milled sabadilla seeds can be washed with seed or plantpart solvent one time or multiple times. For example, the de-oiledmilled sabadilla seeds can be washed one to ten times. If the seed orplant part solvent is decanted and additional seed or plant part solventis added (additional washes), then the purity of the extract isincreased.

In an embodiment, the de-oiled milled sabadilla seeds are washed withthe seed or plant part solvent from 1 to 5 times. In a preferredembodiment, the de-oiled milled sabadilla seeds are washed with seed orplant part solvent from 2 to 5 times. In a most preferred embodiment,the milled sabadilla seeds are washed with seed or plant part solvent 5times.

During the extraction, the de-oiled milled sabadilla seeds and seed orplant part solvent should be agitated. This can be done by any methodknown by those of skill in the art. Applicant found that stirring thede-oiled milled sabadilla seeds in the seed or plant part solventincreased the rate of extraction and was an effective means ofagitation. The process was most efficient if the stirring was briskenough to prevent the de-oiled milled sabadilla seeds from settling inthe extraction vessel (e.g., flask).

As used herein, the “seed or plant part solvent” refers to methanol,ethanol, glycol ether, ethyl lactate, propanol, butyl lactate,gamma-butyrolactone, and/or 1-butanol.

In a preferred embodiment, the seeds or plant part solvent is selectedfrom the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, glycol ether, ethyllactate, and propanol. In a more preferred embodiment, the seed or plantpart solvent is methanol.

Methanol can be used at temperatures from about 0 to about 60 degreesCelsius. Applicant found that methanol at lower temperatures requiredadditional extraction time and that temperatures above 55 to 60 degreesCelsius resulted in methanol loss and boiling. Applicant found that theoptimal temperature for methanol extraction was from about 50 to about55 degrees Celsius.

The milled sabadilla seeds can be washed with at least one extractsolvent selected from the group consisting of C5 to C14 alkanes,chlorinated methane, chlorinated ethane, benzene, and benzenederivatives one time or multiple times. For example, the milledsabadilla seeds can be washed one to ten times. If the extract solventis decanted and additional extract solvent is added (additional washes),then more oil is removed and the purity of the extract is increased.

As used herein, “extract solvent” refers to C5 to C14 alkanes,chlorinated methane, chlorinated ethane, benzene, and/or benzenederivatives. As used herein, “benzene derivatives” refers to a chemicalcompound derived from benzene wherein one or more hydrogen atoms arereplaced with another functional group. Examples of benzene derivativesinclude phenol, toluene, and aniline.

In a preferred embodiment, the extract solvent is hexane.

In an embodiment, the milled sabadilla seeds or other plant parts arewashed with at least one extract solvent selected from the groupconsisting of C5 to C14 alkanes, chlorinated methane, chlorinatedethane, benzene, and benzene derivatives, from 1 to 5 times. In apreferred embodiment, the milled sabadilla seeds or other plant partsare washed with at least one extract solvent selected from the groupconsisting of C5 to C14 alkanes, chlorinated methane, chlorinatedethane, benzene, and benzene derivatives from 2 to 5 times. In a mostpreferred embodiment, the milled sabadilla seeds or other plant partsare washed with at least one extract solvent selected from the groupconsisting of C5 to C14 alkanes, chlorinated methane, chlorinatedethane, benzene, and benzene derivatives 5 times.

During the washes, the milled sabadilla seeds and at least one extractsolvent selected from the group consisting of C5 to C14 alkanes,chlorinated methane, chlorinated ethane, benzene, and benzenederivatives should be agitated. This can be done by any method known bythose of skill in the art. Applicant found that stirring the milledsabadilla seeds in the extract solvent increased the rate of extractionand was an effective means of agitation.

Applicant found that using propylene glycol was critical to create thedesired viscosity of the liquid sabadilla seed extract. Applicant triedanother solvent, glycerol, but found that it was far too viscous.

In a further embodiment, the weight ratio of sabadilla extract topropylene glycol is from about 1:0.25 to about 1:10. In a preferredembodiment, the weight ratio of sabadilla extract to propylene glycol isfrom about 1:0.6 to about 1:1.3. In a more preferred embodiment, theweight ratio of sabadilla extract to propylene glycol is from about1:0.8 to about 1:1.

In an alternative embodiment, butyl lactate is added to the sabadillaextract with the propylene glycol. In a preferred embodiment, the weightratio of propylene glycol to butyl lactate is from about 1:0.25 to about1:1. In a more preferred embodiment, the weight ratio of propyleneglycol to butyl lactate is from about 1:1 to about 1:2. In a mostpreferred embodiment, the weight ratio of propylene glycol to butyllactate is from about 1:2 to about 1:4.

In an embodiment, the weight ratio of butyl lactate to sabadilla extractis from about 1:0.2 to about 1:0.5. In a preferred embodiment, theweight ratio of butyl lactate to sabadilla extract is from about 1:0.5to about 1:0.6. In a more preferred embodiment, the weight ratio ofbutyl lactate to sabadilla extract is from about 1:0.6 to about 1:0.8.

Butyl lactate is also OMRI approved which means liquid sabadilla extractincluding this solvent can be used in organic farming.

In yet another embodiment, the methanol is removed from the sabadillaextract and propylene glycol by evaporation, including distillation.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a liquidpesticidal sabadilla extract product produced by the process comprisingthe steps of milling sabadilla seeds, washing the milled sabadilla seedswith at least one extract solvent selected from the group consisting ofC5 to C14 alkanes, chlorinated methane, chlorinated ethane, benzene, andbenzene derivatives under agitation to dissolve the sabadilla oil,removing the extract solvent and sabadilla oil from the washed milledseeds, washing the de-oiled milled sabadilla seeds with at least oneseed and plant part solvent selected from the group consisting ofmethanol, ethanol, glycol ether, ethyl lactate, propanol, butyl lactate,gamma-butyrolactone, and 1-butanol under agitation to dissolve thesabadilla extract in the seed or plant part solvent, removing the seedor plant part solvent and sabadilla extract from the de-oiled washedmilled seeds, adding propylene glycol to the sabadilla extract in theseed or plant part solvent, and removing the seed or plant part solventfrom the sabadilla extract and propylene glycol to produce the liquidsabadilla extract.

In an alternative embodiment, the seed or plant part solvent can beentirely removed before the propylene glycol and/or butyl lactate areadded.

In an embodiment, the at least one extract solvent selected from thegroup consisting of C5 to C14 alkanes, chlorinated methane, chlorinatedethane, benzene, and benzene derivatives, and sabadilla oil are removedfrom the washed milled seeds by decanting (pouring), pumping, ordraining. For example, when the extract is produced on a small scale,the milled seeds settle to the bottom of the flask and the extractsolvent and sabadilla oil can be easily decanted out of the flask.During commercial extraction production, the extract solvent andsabadilla oil can be removed by methods known by those of skill in theart. For example, the extract solvent and sabadilla oil could be removedfrom the washing vessel by draining the solvent and sabadilla oil withthe use of a screen, pump, or filter.

In another embodiment, sabadilla oil can be extracted from milledsabadilla seeds using countercurrent extraction. Countercurrentextraction is a commercial scale extraction process typically used inoil seed extraction of seeds such as canola and soy. In brief,countercurrent extraction is a continuous process in which fresh, milledseed is fed through a long solvent bath by conveyor. The seed enters oneend and the solvent enters the other, both eventually exiting oppositeends of the apparatus as spent marc (i.e. extracted/depleted seed) andmiscella (i.e. solvent with a solute load from the seed).

In an embodiment, the seed or plant part solvent and sabadilla extractare removed from the de-oiled milled sabadilla seeds by decanting(pouring), pumping, or draining. For example, when the extract isproduced on a small scale, the milled seeds settle to the bottom of theflask and the methanol and sabadilla extract can be easily decanted outof the flask. During commercial extraction production, the seed or plantpart solvent and sabadilla extract can be removed by methods known bythose of skill in the art. For example, the methanol and sabadillaextract could be removed from the washing vessel by draining the seed orplant part solvent with the use of a screen, pump, or filter.

In a further embodiment, the present invention is directed to methodsfor controlling pests comprising applying the liquid sabadilla extractproduced by the methods of the present invention to pests or the pests'environment.

In another embodiment, the pests controlled are selected from the groupconsisting of members of the class Insecta (insects), Arachnida subclassAcari (mites), and shell-less terrestrial gastropod mollusks (slugs).

In an embodiment, the insects controlled are selected from the groupconsisting of aphids (Hemiptera), whiteflies (Hemiptera), thrips(Thysanoptera), leafhoppers (Hemiptera), bed bugs (Hemiptera), psyllids(Hemiptera), scale insects (Hemiptera), mealybugs (Hemiptera), psocids(Psocoptera), lice (Phthiraptera), fleas (Siphonaptera), caterpillars(Lepidoptera), and early immature stages of beetles (Coleoptera), truebugs (Hemiptera), cockroaches (Blattodea), flies (Diptera) and wasps(Hymenoptera). In a preferred embodiment, the insects controlled areselected from the group consisting of aphids (Hemiptera), whiteflies(Hemiptera), thrips (Thysanoptera), leafhoppers (Hemiptera), bed bugs(Hemiptera), psyllids (Hemiptera), scale insects (Hemiptera), mealybugs(Hemiptera), psocids (Psocoptera), lice (Phthiraptera), and fleas(Siphonaptera). In a more preferred embodiment, the insects controlledare selected from the group consisting of bed bugs (Cimex lectularius),western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), green peach aphids(Myzus persicae), and greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum).

In a preferred embodiment, the mites controlled are two-spotted spidermites (Tetranychus urticae).

The de-oiled sabadilla extract is a contact pesticide which means thatthe extract should be applied directly to the pests or their environmentfor the most effective control. The extract, or a formulation containingthe extract, can be mixed with water and applied with a pressurizedsystem, such as aerosol generators or in a form of ground application,e.g., low pressure boom sprayers, high pressure sprayers, air blastsprayers, low volume air sprayers (mist blowers), hand-operated sprayersand pump sprays. The extract should be applied as a fine spray until thesurface is uniformly wet with minimal runoff. In another embodiment, theextract can be formulated, for example, as granules, and applied bybroadcast. In yet another embodiment, the extract could be formulated asa dust or wettable powder.

As used herein, “liquid sabadilla extract” refers to an extract ofsabadilla seeds or other plant parts which has had the sabadilla oil andthe solid inert parts (such as the cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin andpectin) removed in order to concentrate the alkaloids and to whichpropylene glycol has been added. “Liquid” refers to the sabadillaextract being pourable at 5 degrees Celsius and above.

The liquid sabadilla extract of the present invention is distinct fromsabadilla seeds in their natural because the liquid sabadilla seedextract has been isolated from the seed and concentrated. Further, theliquid sabadilla extract includes propylene glycol. The liquid sabadillaextract of the present invention is not present in nature in this form.

As used herein, “controlling pests” refers to decreasing the negativeimpact of pests on plants or animals to a level that is desirable to thegrower or animal.

As used herein, “roller mill” refers to equipment used to decrease theshape of a material by pressing the material with at least onecylindrical roller against another roller or firm surface. A roller millis one way of producing a flaked seed.

As used herein, “pests' environment” refers to any area that the pest ispresent during any life stage. One environment likely to be treated bythe methods of the present invention includes the plants that the pestsare living on and the surrounding soil. The pests' environment mayinclude soil, plants, harvested plants, gardens, fields, greenhouses, orother buildings, and various indoor surfaces and structures, such asfurniture including beds, and furnishings including books, clothing,etc.

As used herein, all numerical values relating to amounts, weightpercentages and the like are defined as “about” or “approximately” eachparticular value, namely, plus or minus 10% (±10%). For example, thephrase “at least 5% by weight” is to be understood as “at least 4.5% to5.5% by weight.” Therefore, amounts within 10% of the claimed values areencompassed by the scope of the claims.

The articles “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural aswell as the singular, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.For example, the methods of the present invention are directed tocontrolling “pests” but this can include control of a single pest (suchas a single insect).

The following examples are intended to illustrate the present inventionand to teach one of ordinary skill in the art how to use the extracts ofthe invention. They are not intended to be limiting in any way.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Sabadilla seeds were milled using a roller mill according to themanufacturer's instructions. Two hundred grams of milled seed were addedto a three liter flask with hexane and stirred with a three bladestirrer controlled by an overhead motor. This step removes the oil fromthe seeds. A stirring speed was maintained which prevented any seedfragments from settling in the flask. The system was sealed to limitevaporation loss.

The hexane was decanted off and additional hexane was added to theflask. This step was repeated three additional times. The hexane andremaining sabadilla seed oil (as a solute) were then decanted from theflask.

The hexane removed the oil from the milled seeds and de-oiled sabadillaseed remained in the flask.

The de-oiled sabadilla seed was then washed with methanol to remove thesolid seed parts. The methanol was decanted off into a new flask andadditional methanol was added to the flask. This step was repeated threeadditional times. The washed seeds remained in the washing flask.

Propylene glycol was then added to the methanol with the de-oiledsabadilla extract. The initial amount of propylene glycol added was 9%of the dry, de-oiled seed weight that comprised the batch.

Next, evaporation was used to remove the methanol, leaving aconcentrated liquid sabadilla extract in the flask. Further, the extractcould easily be adjusted to 10% alkaloid purity to create a standardizedextract.

Example 2

The same procedure as explained in Example 1 was used except that butyllactate replaced half of the propylene glycol. Accordingly, a liquidsabadilla extract was prepared.

Example 3

The same procedure as explained in Example 1 was used except that themethanol was removed by distillation. Standard IKA rotary evaporatorswere used for the distillation. A flask containing the methanol andde-oiled sabadilla extract were loaded into the evaporator and into aheated water bath. The flask was heated to between 50 to 55 degreesCelsius with a pressure below atmospheric in order to maximize efficientremoval of the methanol without allowing it to boil over into thecondenser. The evaporated methanol was thoroughly condensed in anadjoining flask leaving a concentrated liquid sabadilla extract in theflask.

We claim:
 1. A propylene glycol sabadilla seed extract produced by aprocess comprising the steps of: a) milling sabadilla seeds; b) washingthe milled sabadilla seeds with a first solvent selected from the groupconsisting of C₅ to C₁₄ alkanes, chlorinated methane, chlorinatedethane, benzene, and a combination thereof under agitation to dissolvethe sabadilla oil in the milled sabadilla seeds; c) removing the firstsolvent and sabadilla oil from the washed milled sabadilla seeds toproduce de-oiled milled sabadilla seeds; d) washing the de-oiled milledsabadilla seeds with a second solvent selected from the group consistingof methanol, ethanol, glycol ether, ethyl lactate, propanol, butyllactate, gamma-butyrolactone, 1-butanol and a combination thereof underagitation to dissolve the de-oiled milled sabadilla seeds in the secondsolvent; e) removing the second solvent and the sabadilla seed extractfrom the de-oiled washed milled sabadilla seeds; f) adding propyleneglycol to the sabadilla seed extract in the second solvent; and g)removing the second solvent from the sabadilla seed extract andpropylene glycol to produce the propylene glycol sabadilla seed extract.2. The product of claim 1 wherein the sabadilla seeds are Schoenocaulonofficinale seeds.
 3. The product of claim 1 wherein the weight ratio ofsabadilla extract to propylene glycol is from about 1:0.25 to about1:10.
 4. The product of claim 1 wherein butyl lactate is added to thesabadilla extract with the propylene glycol.
 5. The product of claim 4wherein the weight ratio of propylene glycol to butyl lactate is fromabout 1:0.25 to about 1:4.
 6. The product of claim 4 wherein the weightratio of butyl lactate to sabadilla extract is from about 1:0.2 to about1:0.8.